Figured it out: Get in my car in the late evening after writing a column, get ready to head somewhere else… that’s precisely when Chris Mullin naturally would call me back.

I appreciate that he did. I think you might, too, since he had been silent since draft night–through Baron Davis’ surprising opt-out on June 30, through BD’s agreement with the Clippers on July 1, through the Warriors’ chase of Gilbert Arenas then Elton Brand, and to the Warriors’ deal with Corey Maggette. Silence.

Then ring, ring, there’s Mullin on my cellphone.

As always, Mullin answered every question and I will write another column tomorrow totally fleshing out the big and little Warriors’ topics, as Mullin and I discussed them.

This late blog entry is just to give you the highlights of our 30-minute conversation, as I scribbled away in my car (parked on a sidestreet)…

I’ll start it with Mullin’s wink to those of us who have poked at him for his long silence while all hell broke loose. I asked him, did it concern him that, while he stayed silent, local and national NBA observers were wondering if the Warriors had a plan after losing Baron, a reaction, a voice, a process… anything?

“You mean when I’m not explaining everything that’s going on in my brain at all times?” Mullin said, laughing. “Yeah, I’m 100% fine with that. I’m fine with not explaining everything and people wondering. And not just in the NBA, but in life. In fact, that’s the only way to live. For me, definitely.”

I know, Chris. Man oh man, do I know.

Generally, asked if a team that lost Davis and added Maggette and Ronny Turiaf would be worse off, Mullin was pretty specific, but offered no guarantees:

“You know, it’s not always an easy thing—was the 42-win team two years ago better than the 48-team that didn’t go to the playoffs but was in the toughest Western conference ever? Was last year’s team worse? I don’t know.

“If you’re asking, can we be better? Can we be deeper, play with more energy, share the ball more, rebound better, play a little bit better defensively? Yeah, that is possible.

“But I’m not going to predict anything. The only good prediction I know of was made by Joe Namath and that was a long time ago. That was the only worthwhile one ever.”

—–Flash analysis: More energized? Share the ball? Better defense? If I didn’t know better, I might think the Warriors’ chief was noting areas in which Mr. BD wasn’t the greatest example.

And what were his emotions over the last nine or 10 chaotic days?

“I anticipated—and I think everyone did—that it would be a really busy off-season,” Mullin said. “I guess it started that way and it continues to be.

“Yeah, it’s exciting any time you get an opportunity to do some new and exciting things. It also sometimes wracks your brain a little bit. But that’s all good.”

* A detail: Mullin said the paperwork on Ronny Turiaf’s signed offer sheet should be submitted to the league tomorrow (Thursday), which gives the Lakers until July 17 to match or let Turiaf go to the Warriors.

My understanding is that the deal is slightly front-loaded, making it a little harder for the Lakers to swallow. We’ll see. Seven days.

* Why give Maggette such a huge deal? Five years and $50M? Mullin gave a very interesting explanation, touching on some topics that raised my eyebrows.

“I really appreciate his consistency,” Mullin said. “He takes great care of himself, he’s really committed to fitness, as I said, and that’s just something we needed.

“He gets his points and rebounds. But I just think it’s his approach to the work and his lifestyle that will be a huge benefit for our young guys. They can watch him, see how he approaches it in the gym and maybe they can emulate him.”

—-Flash analysis: Again… Consistency. Takes care of himself. Physical fitness. Setting an example in the gym at practice for the young players. Those are not words or phrases you would ever associate with Baron in his Warriors career. Exact opposite.

* Was Mullin taken surprise by Baron’s decision to opt-out after he’d said for weeks that he wouldn’t?

”My feeling is (the opt-out clause) was in writing,” Mullin said. “That was always possible, whether you really expected it or not. It was what I read (in the contract). So I’ve got to plan that it might happen.

“And when the (deadline) date comes up… well, that’s when things like that usually happen. It was in black and white, it could happen, and we planned accordingly, you know, if this happens, we do this, if another scenario plays out…. The levels are different and the money is very different, but it’s kind of like draft day where you map things out and go from there.

“Really, until it was one or the other, it’s not either. So no, not surprised.”

* Mullin confirmed what Davis’ agent Todd Ramasar said: Once Baron opted out, the Warriors did not call with any further offers. Or call at all.

I asked Mullin if he treated the opt-out as the end of the Warriors’ relationship with Baron.

“Yeah. I just think that the way the scenario played out, after our conversations, once he opted-out, he was looking to go somewhere else,” Mullin said.

“Look, no one has more respect for Baron than I do. Personally and professionally, Baron did a tremendous amount for the Warriors organization. What transpired, transpired.

“But his impact will be lasting. I wish him luck. He’s an incredible player, a dynamic person. He’ll go to LA and do some great things, I’m sure. But it was time to move on…

“Obviously, we’ll miss him tremendously. He’s an incredible player—one of the top players in the league. Of course, any team would miss that.”

—–Flash analysis: I think the Warriors may not have expected Baron to opt out, but they clearly were planning for life after Baron, possibly as soon as February or at the latest, next summer.

They were not going to give him long-term money. Period. Once he opted-out, they figured he had set his mind on getting his long-term money now and probably had it set up. And Baron did have it set up with the Clippers.

* I asked Mullin if the pre-plan was that, if Baron opted-out, they would go for Brand, assuming that Baron would want to head to the Clippers… And Mullin didn’t say so, but it sure sounded like that was the plan. Which they followed.

* Here’s the reason the Warriors were not going to give Baron long-term money–Mullin wants to see what Monta Ellis does as the centerpiece on offense.

So Monta’s the point guard?

“I’d say ‘guard,’” Mullin said. “I think one of the things people are always saying is that we don’t use positions, but then the first thing we do is, OK, is he a 1 or a 2? Well, Maggette’s 2 o 3? Jack’s a 2 or a 3? Monta’s in there. I just put them all in there and say they’re players.”

Of course, Baron was a pure point guard, I added.

“Yeah, he was. I think Monta has grown in that regard,” Mullin said. “I saw him making plays last year that he wasn’t making before—you can call them point guard plays. I’m pretty comfortable with him handling the ball whenever.

“I’m pretty comfortable with him dictating a lot with the ball in his hands.”

He has always said he was going to keep Ellis and Biedrins no matter what. Now that he has more money freed up, if possible, his certainty is even higher now, Mullin said.

* Asked directly, Mullin said he would not be filing tampering charges against the Clippers and does not believe Baron acted in any inappropriate way during the negotiations and opt-out.

“No. I never even thought about it,” Mullin said about the tampering issue.

“That was an opportunity for him and nothing more.”

Mullin also said there was no attempt to see if Davis wanted to come back to the Warriors after Brand bolted for the 76ers.

“No.”

Why? Because you didn’t want Baron back or he didn’t want you back or was it out of respect for the verbal agreement? ”

You have respect for the agreement and the decision,” Mullin said. “And you move on.”

* I asked him if he thought the Warriors were close to landing Brand at any point.

“You know my feeling about “close”? You either get it or you don’t,” Mullin said. “Anything else in between, that soap opera stuff, that’s not in my wheelhouse.”

* With all the talk of plans and scenarios, I asked Mullin if he has gone through three levels, four levels, five levels of plans so far to get to Maggette and Turiaf?

“I don’t even know if I’ve gotten through the first level yet,” Mullin said. ”There are always opportunities and choices. You just have to plan for them and then don’t hesitate. When one door closes, another opens.

“When you see the opportunity, you go. You jump. I think it’s always important to do the next right hting instead of thinking about what happened. I feel that whole-heartedly. You have to plan, react and not think too much.

“I don’t worry about other people, what they’re saying, if they don’t know what’s happening. If anything, I feel more comfortable in that situation.”

Mullin sure knows how to explain himself after everything that has happened. That's what I like about him. Now you know the truth behind Baron and what beholds the future.

Baron's gone, Mullin never wanted him back. Monta is the future, point guard, guard... doesn't matter, there's no such thing as a position according to Mullin, just putting a player in there. Brand and Arenas didn't sign... simple as that.

What a dumbazz GM. Same sort of stupid mentality that landed us in a 12 yr playoff slump. Ya, lets see how Monta does, lets hope lets pray, lets hope he doesn't make stupid decisions with the ball and not get lost on defense. Let's hope. Let's bank our franchise on HOPING our decision to not give a 5th yr to a PROVEN SUPERSTAR AND PLAYMAKER will pan out for the hope that Ellis will reach his potential. And thats all it is, POTENTIAL. Heard the same shi- about Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle, blah blah. Stupid mentality. If this is the basic roster heading into next season, lottery here we come again. If he does't make a major trade, he should be on the hot seat.

GSW2006 wrote:What a dumbazz GM. Same sort of stupid mentality that landed us in a 12 yr playoff slump. Ya, lets see how Monta does, lets hope lets pray, lets hope he doesn't make stupid decisions with the ball and not get lost on defense. Let's hope. Let's bank our franchise on HOPING our decision to not give a 5th yr to a PROVEN SUPERSTAR AND PLAYMAKER will pan out for the hope that Ellis will reach his potential. And thats all it is, POTENTIAL. Heard the same shi- about Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle, blah blah. Stupid mentality. If this is the basic roster heading into next season, lottery here we come again. If he does't make a major trade, he should be on the hot seat.

Wow. 90 wins over the last 2 seasons. A lot of excitement. Salary cap flexibility. A lot to look forward to with all the young talent on the team. And yet, you sound like you're ready to blow your brains out. Nobody's offering us Chris Paul or Deron Williams. So, we may as well give Monta a chance to show what he can do.

GSW2006 wrote:What a dumbazz GM. Same sort of stupid mentality that landed us in a 12 yr playoff slump. Ya, lets see how Monta does, lets hope lets pray, lets hope he doesn't make stupid decisions with the ball and not get lost on defense. Let's hope. Let's bank our franchise on HOPING our decision to not give a 5th yr to a PROVEN SUPERSTAR AND PLAYMAKER will pan out for the hope that Ellis will reach his potential. And thats all it is, POTENTIAL. Heard the same shi- about Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle, blah blah. Stupid mentality. If this is the basic roster heading into next season, lottery here we come again. If he does't make a major trade, he should be on the hot seat.

Were you even around for the Gary St. Jean era, or was the bandwagon still stuck in Sacramento?

Bottom line, Mullin is better and has done more things than any other front office person with the dubs have done in the past 20 or so years. We lost our most expensive player in BD, yet we still have our young, most dynamic player in Ellis plus 18 mil off the books.

You're looking for a 'PROVEN SUPERSTAR' as if there is any available out there...we offered Brand more than the sixers did but he like the situation better and chose Philly....and comparing the Claxton, J-Rich, Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle lineup to the Monta, Maggette, Jack, Wright, Biedrins is ridiculous b/c our projected lineup for next year is real good despite losing the face of our franchise for the past 3 years.

And GSW2006, if you're tired of POTENTIAL and would rather have EXPERIENCED VETS, then you must LOVE what the Clippers got going on right now... I heard they need fans anyway.

GSW2006 wrote:What a dumbazz GM. Same sort of stupid mentality that landed us in a 12 yr playoff slump. Ya, lets see how Monta does, lets hope lets pray, lets hope he doesn't make stupid decisions with the ball and not get lost on defense. Let's hope. Let's bank our franchise on HOPING our decision to not give a 5th yr to a PROVEN SUPERSTAR AND PLAYMAKER will pan out for the hope that Ellis will reach his potential. And thats all it is, POTENTIAL. Heard the same shi- about Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle, blah blah. Stupid mentality. If this is the basic roster heading into next season, lottery here we come again. If he does't make a major trade, he should be on the hot seat.

He is not a 'dumazz GM;' but rather our slow-footed and dim-witted VP.

Mullin is never on the hot seat; the Bay Area media and fans give him a pass on everything just as long as he provides us with an entertaining brand of basketball...sigh...

Wow. 90 wins over the last 2 seasons. A lot of excitement. Salary cap flexibility. A lot to look forward to with all the young talent on the team. And yet, you sound like you're ready to blow your brains out. Nobody's offering us Chris Paul or Deron Williams. So, we may as well give Monta a chance to show what he can do.[/quote][/quote]

I have been watching these post for awhile now and I agree with this. We have, I believe, a lot of young talent. Nellie says this season they are going to get their chance to play. This is different in than past years. I think we have stockpiled some really good, young talent. Let's give them a chance to shine. Who we have today may very well be the big stars in a year or two or three. Will we make the playoffs this season? That is an open question, as no one can predict what will happen. How a team played one year is not an indicator of how they will do again, i.e. the Miami Heat a couple of years ago. Injuries to key players makes a difference. Let's enjoy watching this team grow and stop being so negative. I think there are good days ahead. Just my 2 cents.

GSW2006 wrote:What a dumbazz GM. Same sort of stupid mentality that landed us in a 12 yr playoff slump. Ya, lets see how Monta does, lets hope lets pray, lets hope he doesn't make stupid decisions with the ball and not get lost on defense. Let's hope. Let's bank our franchise on HOPING our decision to not give a 5th yr to a PROVEN SUPERSTAR AND PLAYMAKER will pan out for the hope that Ellis will reach his potential. And thats all it is, POTENTIAL. Heard the same shi- about Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle, blah blah. Stupid mentality. If this is the basic roster heading into next season, lottery here we come again. If he does't make a major trade, he should be on the hot seat.

He is not a 'dumazz GM;' but rather our slow-footed and dim-witted VP.

Mullin is never on the hot seat; the Bay Area media and fans give him a pass on everything just as long as he provides us with an entertaining brand of basketball...sigh...

Did you even read what chinchilla wrote...? He was absolutely dead on.

I don't understand how ANYONE who "claims" to have been here during the Gary Saint Jean era can even question what Mullin's done with the team so far. Did you see a championship, fully-loaded, star-quality team when Mullin inherited it? Or did you see two NBA starters (Jamison and Richardson), a stud that was going to get away anyway (Arenas), and a load of BS, like the rest of us did? The fact that we're even talking playoffs in the toughest conference of all time is a testiment to how far we've come in such a short amount of time. Mullin has done wonderfully for Golden State and we continue to improve our win percentage every year. Its insane that you're calling for his head after EVERY move he makes, good or bad. I can't believe the amount of credit you're refusing to give the VP.

Did Artest seem like a good, long-term bet? Does Baron Davis? Of course not. So why are you raising a huge fuss after both of these guys got passed on? Let Mullin do his thing and continue to improve our squad. It won't happen overnight.

Im starting to really like the idea of Corey playing for our Ws... we have a lot of fire power on our team, if Mullin can add a couple more solid players to our roster this offseason and if Monta has a productive year pushing the point, we'll have a chance of making the playoffs... (Im thinking its gonna take at least 45 wins to clinch a playoff birth...)

GSW2006 wrote:What a dumbazz GM. Same sort of stupid mentality that landed us in a 12 yr playoff slump. Ya, lets see how Monta does, lets hope lets pray, lets hope he doesn't make stupid decisions with the ball and not get lost on defense. Let's hope. Let's bank our franchise on HOPING our decision to not give a 5th yr to a PROVEN SUPERSTAR AND PLAYMAKER will pan out for the hope that Ellis will reach his potential. And thats all it is, POTENTIAL. Heard the same shi- about Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle, blah blah. Stupid mentality. If this is the basic roster heading into next season, lottery here we come again. If he does't make a major trade, he should be on the hot seat.

Ummm Ellis & Wright vs any of those players in the potential catagory... I won't even get into this, I think the analysis is more about peccemism that an organized thought process. Baron was going to get injured as a Warriors, he most likely will get injured as a Clipper, and he also will do great things for a part of the Los Angeles community that needs it. Ellis is better than any of the players that you refer to already, and by the end of the year we were leaning further on him than Baron. Guess who showed up? Don't say he belongs on the hot seat until the team he puts together gets a chance to prove itself, although I too am pushing for a trade. We all are..

GSW2006 wrote:What a dumbazz GM. Same sort of stupid mentality that landed us in a 12 yr playoff slump. Ya, lets see how Monta does, lets hope lets pray, lets hope he doesn't make stupid decisions with the ball and not get lost on defense. Let's hope. Let's bank our franchise on HOPING our decision to not give a 5th yr to a PROVEN SUPERSTAR AND PLAYMAKER will pan out for the hope that Ellis will reach his potential. And thats all it is, POTENTIAL. Heard the same shi- about Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle, blah blah. Stupid mentality. If this is the basic roster heading into next season, lottery here we come again. If he does't make a major trade, he should be on the hot seat.

He is not a 'dumazz GM;' but rather our slow-footed and dim-witted VP.

Mullin is never on the hot seat; the Bay Area media and fans give him a pass on everything just as long as he provides us with an entertaining brand of basketball...sigh...

Did you even read what chinchilla wrote...? He was absolutely dead on.

I don't understand how ANYONE who "claims" to have been here during the Gary Saint Jean era can even question what Mullin's done with the team so far. Did you see a championship, fully-loaded, star-quality team when Mullin inherited it? Or did you see two NBA starters (Jamison and Richardson), a stud that was going to get away anyway (Arenas), and a load of BS, like the rest of us did? The fact that we're even talking playoffs in the toughest conference of all time is a testiment to how far we've come in such a short amount of time. Mullin has done wonderfully for Golden State and we continue to improve our win percentage every year. Its insane that you're calling for his head after EVERY move he makes, good or bad. I can't believe the amount of credit you're refusing to give the VP.

Did Artest seem like a good, long-term bet? Does Baron Davis? Of course not. So why are you raising a huge fuss after both of these guys got passed on? Let Mullin do his thing and continue to improve our squad. It won't happen overnight.

Thank you 32, someone needs to get these guys in line...as mentioned before, apparently they haven't been Warriors fans ove rthe past couple of decades

Good to hear it straight from Mullin's mouth. He GMs like he played basketball. Fundy.. fundamentals. They took their chance, expecting Baron not to opt out, but planned for it if he did. They made the decision to offer a take it or leave it deal and were prepared to take responsibility if it didn't pan out. I can respect that. Let's hope that a little more luck comes his way now that they have some $$ to play with. He's done great for this organization. While I was sad to see Baron go, I can't say that I know better than Mullin on what he should do with the team. I'd feel a lot better if they had a solid PG to backup and share the backcourt with Monta.

People need to remember we lost a great point guard but we didn't lose a great coach.

Baron Davis is a great player, but he needed the rock in his hand. with hm leaving i fully expect all those points, assists, rebounds and turnovers tht he gave us to be absorbed by other players. Monta's minutes won't change but you'll see him with greater points (they'll go up by 4) Monta's assists will go up ( He'll probably raise them up to the 7 assists a game area <prob more cause we all know what kind of system Nellie likes to run>